While most restaurants cater to the crowds, Ju-Ni San Francisco strives for a memorable and intimate dining experience. The restaurant’s name means “twelve” in Japanese. Chef Geoffrey Lee and his business partner Tan Truong chose that name after deciding that they would only serve a maximum of 12 patrons at a time. The small number, they reasoned, would allow each guest to get individual attention throughout the course of his or her meal. Unlike many San Francisco restaurants, there is no set menu. Instead, guests are treated to an 18-course menu of omakase sushi. In Japanese, the “omakase” means “I’ll leave it up to you.” Diners know that the restaurant sources its ingredients from the world-renowned Tsukiji Market in Japan, but they choose what sushi to eat.

Sashimi

With 18 choices for sushi to choose from, diners have many options. One popular sushi is sashimi, which is usually prepared with raw fish. However, it can be made with other sea-based foods too, such as shrimp. While most sushi contains rice wrapped around seaweed, sashimi is a slice of meat or fish placed on top of a small garnish, such as daikon or even a small mound of rice. Sashimi is popular in the Bay Area, as local, fresh fish are readily available, and diners can appreciate tasting their fresh flavors. Sashimi is best when paired with a dipping sauce or side, such as wasabi.

Maki Sushi

Maki sushi is another variety of sushi. This sushi is a hand-rolled sushi that usually involves wrapping rice over a piece of nori seaweed. Sometimes soy paper and thin slices of cucumber are substituted for the seaweed wrap. While sashimi contains meat or seafood, maki sushi can be prepared with vegetables too. There are five types of maki sushi rolls, which can be made with the nori on the inside of the rice or outside of the rice. It can also be presented in the shape of a cone.

Nigiri Sushi

The nigiri sushi is as enjoyable to look at as it is to eat. Nigiri sushi is a hand-pressed sushi that is formed into the shape of a rectangle. A mound of rice forms the base for fresh fish, shellfish or a select vegetable, which is placed over the rice. The sushi tier is then topped with wasabi or a sauce. It is sometimes wrapped in a piece of nori seaweed to keep the components from falling apart.

Inari Sushi

Instead of rice, inari sushi uses a pocket of tofu skin to create sushi. Inari sushi is fried tofu that is filled with sushi rice. There is room for customization with this type of sushi, as people can adjust the level of sweetness to their liking. Inari sushi is made by deep-frying thin slices of tofu, then frying them at a high temperature. Inari sushi can be eaten alone, but it is also tasty when paired with a side sauce such as soy sauce.